Cape Town - The battle in the matter of renaming Hoërskool DF Malan has started at the Western Cape High Court.
The school governing body (SGB) had undertaken a process to change the school name and in 2021 an electronic vote where the school community was involved resulted in DF Akademie being the preferred name.
However a Facebook group, Trots DF Malan, has been opposing the entire idea.
On December 17 last year four individuals – parents and members of the group – launched a formal review application in the hope of setting the decision aside.
The review application was heard last Monday by Judge Robert Henney and the case was postponed to December 1 for further arguments.
Trots DF Malan’s argument is that the process followed in trying to rename the school was flawed.
“The core of our application revolves around that applicants (parents) and the school community are entitled to a fair administrative process.
In principle, the applicants concede that the governing body (subject to having the powers) can take the name, but it requires, among other things, that the school community be consulted,” Trots said.
The group updated its members about the first day, saying they were arguing technical points; and the suitability of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act.
“Although the judge made great entertainment of the press’ continuous comments about the name, the day went well as the case finally revolved around the process. Our lawyer began to argue the fairness of the process and eventually proceedings were adjourned.
We also want to remind you that this application and case is about much more than the name and even a reckless and dishonest process.
There is a lot more going on here than just the eye-opening ‘name change’,” it said.
SGB chairperson Andre Roux added: “Unfortunately all arguments could not be heard on the day. Seeing that the matter is still being argued, we have been advised not to comment on any further aspects relating to the case.”
Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson for education MEC David Maynier, said while the matter was indeed before the court; no relief was being sought against Maynier.
Cape Times